Consumer Reports' Most Popular New Cars and SUVs

In a recent article about another Consumer Reports “Most Popular…” style ratings report, CR analysts provided today their latest list ranked in popularity starting with their top 10 most researched vehicles, working its way down followed by name-dropping numbers 11-20 on the popularity scale.

A New List of the Most Popular Among Shoppers

After combing through their website traffic, CR analysts found that some models get more than their share of views. So much so, that it can only mean these are the most popular sought-after vehicles on consumers’ minds as they shop around and try to find which model is the right buy for them.

Related article: Popular Compact Cars to Avoid and What to Buy Instead Recommends This Consumer Reports Update

“Many of these are models that sit at the top of our vehicle ratings charts because of their high Overall Score, which means they’ve scored well in our road tests, have good reliability, come with key active safety features, and performed well in crash tests,” stated the CR newsletter.

Listed in order of popularity, with the most researched model at the top, CR analysts identified when popular active safety systems such as automatic emergency braking (AEB), AEB that works at highway speeds, blind spot warning (BSW), and rear cross traffic warning (RCTW) come optional or standard with each model.

That said, here is a summary of their findings for your perusal.

Top 10 Most Popular Cars and SUVs

1. Subaru Forester 2024

Price Range:  $27,095 - $37,395

CR MPG:  Overall 28 / City 20 / Hwy 38 mpg

#1 of 28 Compact SUVs

Safety features: While the standard active safety features include AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed AEB, BSW and RCTW aren’t available on the base trim and are optional on the Premium trim; they’re standard on the others.

2. Honda CR-V 2024

Price Range:  $29,500 - $36,160

CR MPG:  Overall 26 / City 19 / Hwy 33 mpg

#3 of 28 Compact SUVs

Safety features: While AEB with pedestrian detection and AEB highway are standard, BSW and RCTW aren’t available on the new LX base trim but are standard on all other trims.

3. Toyota RAV4 2024

Price Range:  $28,675 - $40,030

CR MPG:  Overall 27 / City 19 / Hwy 38 mpg

#12 of 28 Compact SUVs

Safety features: AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed AEB are standard, and BSW and RCTW are standard on all trims except the base trim.

4. Honda CR-V Hybrid 2024

Price Range:  $34,050 - $40,200

CR MPG:  Overall 35 / City 31 / Hwy 38 mpg

#5 of 28 Compact SUVs

Safety features: All CR-V Hybrids come with AEB with pedestrian detection, AEB highway, BSW, and RCTW.

5. Subaru Outback 2024

Price Range:  $28,895 - $42,795

CR MPG:  Overall 24 / City 16 / Hwy 32 mpg

#2 of 16 Midsized SUVs

Safety features: All versions get the EyeSight safety suite with standard AEB with pedestrian detection and highway-speed AEB, but both BSW and RCTW are optional.

6. Toyota Highlander 2024

Price Range:  $39,270 - $53,375

CR MPG:  Overall 22 / City 14 / Hwy 33 mpg

#6 of 20 Midsized SUVs 3-row

Safety features: AEB with pedestrian detection, highway-speed AEB, BSW, and RCTW are standard for 2024.

7. Subaru Crosstrek 2024

Price Range:  $25,195 - $32,195

CR MPG:  Overall 29 / City 20 / Hwy 41 mpg

#1 of 13 Subcompact SUVs

Safety features: AEB with pedestrian detection, although BSW and RCTW are available only on higher trims.

8. Mazda CX-5 2024

Price Range:  $29,300 - $40,600

CR MPG:  Overall 24 / City 17 / Hwy 33 mpg

#11 of 28 Compact SUVs

Safety features: AEB with pedestrian detection, highway-speed AEB, BSW, and RCTW are standard equipment.

9. Kia Telluride 2024

Price Range:  $36,190 - $53,385

CR MPG:  Overall 21 / City 14 / Hwy 30 mpg

#2 of 20 Midsized SUVs 3-row

Safety features: AEB with pedestrian detection, AEB highway, BSW, and RCTW are standard.

10. Toyota Camry 2024

Price Range:  $26,420 - $36,845

CR MPG:  Overall 32 / City 20 / Hwy 49 mpg

#3 of 11 Midsized cars

Safety features: AEB with pedestrian detection and AEB highway come standard. BSW and RCTW are optional.

11th Through 20th Most Popular

1. Nissan Rogue
2. Honda Pilot
3. Toyota Highlander Hybrid
4. Honda Accord
5. Lexus RX
6. Ford Escape
7. Lexus NX Hybrid
8. Kia EV6
9. Toyota Corolla
10. BMW X5

For a more detailed breakdown of the data, please visit the CR website. Note that while access to some information requires a CR membership, the potential savings make it negligible in comparison when looking for the latest information to aid your car buying research.

For additional articles about recent Consumer Reports recommended vehicles, here are some recent used models for your consideration:

• Most Reliable Used Pickup Trucks Consumer Reports Recommends
• Consumer Reports Most Reliable 3-Year-Old Trucks
• Most Reliable 5-Year-Old Midsized Toyota SUVs

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on  “Zen and the Art of DIY Car Repair” website, the Zen Mechanic blog and on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites  and Facebook for daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.

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